Tag: Toronto Blue Jays

MLB All-Star Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeats Randy Arozarena 25-23 in MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

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The Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr waves to the T Mobile Field crowd in Seattle during the 2023 All Star Game Home Run Derby during introductions. Guerrero Jr was the winner for this year’s home run derby on Mon Jul 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, better known as the most anticipated baseball event of the summer, got underway at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday.

Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez, also known as J-Rod, was especially popular with the crowd in Seattle. Julio Rodríguez lost in the finals against then-Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto last summer but he became the first slugger to record multiple 30-homer rounds in a single derby.

Other sluggers included Toronto Blue Jays first baseman and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García.

Bracket
#1 Luis Robert Jr. vs. #8 Adley Rutschman
#4 Adolis García vs. #5 Randy Arozarena
#6 Mookie Betts vs. #3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
#7 Pete Alonso vs. #2 Julio Rodríguez

Round 1
Arozarena defeated García 24-17.

Robert Jr. defeated Rutschman 28-27.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Betts 26-11.

Rodríguez defeated Alonso 41-21.

Round 2
Arozarena defeated Robert Jr. 35-22.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Rodríguez 21-20.

Final
Guerrero Jr. defeated Arozarena 25-23.

Up Next
The American League and the National League will battle each other in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday at 5:00 pm Pacific.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants ten game road win streak comes to an end in Toronto

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San Francisco Giants Logan Webb gave up eight hits on five runs in the loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Wed Jun 28, 2023 (@SFGiants photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Toronto Blue Jays George Springer first of four Blue Jays doubles against the San Francisco Giants in a five run first inning.

#2 The Blue Jays put a stop on the Giants ten game road win streak but what a streak it was for the Giants.

#3 The Giants injury bug is piling up Michael Conforto left with a left hamstring pull in the first inning do you see him being day to day and returning to line up soon.

#4 Talk about Logan Webb’s performance going five innings, eight hits and five earned runs was it a matter of Webb being off with his pitches or the Blue Jays just saw the ball well on Wednesday night.

#5 Starters for Thursday night’s conclusion of this series for San Francisco starter to be announced by manager Gabe Kapler most likely a opener game and for the Blue Jays Chris Bassitt (7-5 ERA 4.32) a 4:07PM PT first pitch.

Five-run Blue Jays first burns Webb, as historic road winning streak comes to end at ten games for Giants 5-1

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario

San Francisco Giants 1 (45-35)

Toronto Blue Jays 6 (44-37)

Win: Bowden Francis (1-0)

Loss: Logan Webb (7-7)

Time: 2:11

Attendance: 36,685

San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) and catcher Patrick Bailey (14) meet with pitching coach Andrew Bailey (84) at Rogers Centre in Toronto against the Blue Jays on Wed Jun 28, 2023 (USA Today photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Toronto Blue Jays (44-37) took the second game of the series with a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants (35-45) tonight in Toronto thanks to a five-run bottom of the first inning against Logan Webb, ending the Giants’ 10-game road winning streak, which was the single-longest in the Giants’ 66-year history in San Francisco.

Blue Jays’ reliever, Trevor Richards, took the ball in what was a bullpen game for Toronto, and the Giants threatened in the top of the first, as LaMonte Wade Jr. singled on a ground ball to left field to start the game, and got to second on a wild pitch by Richards. Joc Pederson walked with two outs, but Patrick Bailey struck out looking to end the inning, and the Giants were unable to come through.

Coming into tonight, Webb had only allowed four earned runs in a game once since April 17—June 7 at Coors Field—but his luck ran out immediately, as George Springer led off the bottom of the first with a double. The Blue Jays went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday, but that would not be an issue for them tonight.

Bo Bichette singled in Springer, followed by a double off the bat of Brandon Belt that knocked in Bichette. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to third, and Matt Chapman got Belt to third on a flyout to right, but back-to-back doubles by Matt Chapman and Daulton Varsho extended the Blue Jays’ lead to 4-0.

Whit Merrifield then knocked in Varsho with a bloop double to right field, as Merrifield was able to get into second due to the slow reaction by Giants’ right-fielder, Michael Conforto, who left the game with left hamstring tightness after the end of the inning. Conforto is listed day to day with a tight left hamstring.

“I don’t think it was about Logan; I think it was about [the Blue Jays’] hitters,” said Gabe Kapler. “They did a nice job of jumping on [Webb’s] pitches early in counts, and getting just enough barrel on it. Some of them were hit really hard, and some of them were just finding holes.”

Blue Jays’ reliever, Trevor Richards, took the ball in what was a bullpen game for Toronto, and threw three shutout innings, while striking out five, as he set down the final six men he faced.

Bowden Francis came in for the fourth, and the Giants hung in there, as they led off each of the four innings that Francis pitched with hits. Austin Slater led off the top of the fifth with a home run to right-center to put the Giants on the board, but the Giants were unable to do anything with their other leadoff hits.

Meanwhile, Logan Webb settled down after a nightmare bottom of the first, and ended up going five innings, as he allowed no runs on just two hits over his next four innings. Ross Strippling came in for Webb in the bottom of the sixth, and pitched a 1-2-3 inning; but he gave up a run in the seventh, as Cavan Biggo doubled with one out, and George Springer immediately singled him in to make it 6-1.

Toronto went to the left-hander, Trent Thorton, in the eighth, which was mostly uneventful, but LaMonte Wade hit a one-out single to left for his third hit of the night. The Blue Jays put two runners on against Strippling in the bottom of the eighth, but were unable to score.

Yimi Garcia then came in for the top of the ninth, and he pitched a 1-2-3 inning to close it out.

The Giants have yet to decide who will take the mound tomorrow for a 4:07 start, as they will try and bounce back to take the series. The Blue Jays will start right hander Chris Bassitt (7-5 ERA 4.32) at Rogers Centre.

Giants Get Back Into Win Column With 3-0 Shutout Over Blue Jays

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants opened their six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday. The Giants returned to the win column with a 3-0 shutout over the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. San Francisco improved to 45-34, while Toronto fell to 43-37.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured LaMonte Wade Jr., Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Blake Sabol, Thairo Estrada, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Ryan Walker. Walker pitched just one inning but gave up two hits and three strikeouts.

After four scoreless innings, San Francisco finally got on the board. Patrick Bailey doubled on a line drive to George Springer. Thairo Estrada scored for a 1-0 Giants lead in the top of the fifth inning. Bailey’s double was his eighth of the regular season.

The Giants added two runs in the top of the ninth inning. Thairo Estrada doubled on a sharp fly ball to Whit Merrifield. Joc Pederson and J.D. Davis scored for a 3-0 Giants lead. Estrada’s double was his 18th of the regular season.

The Giants held on to their 3-0 lead to end the ballgame. Giants pitcher Alex Wood pitched five innings and gave up five hits and seven strikeouts. Wood won and improved to 3-2 and a 4.52 ERA.

Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman pitched six innings and gave up three hits, one earned run, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. Gausman took the loss and fell to 7-4 and a 3.01 ERA. Gausman’s a former San Francisco Giant who played for the team from 2020-21.

Notes
Giants infielder Wilmer Flores was reinstated from the ten-day injured list on Monday.

Giants second baseman Isan Díaz was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento after postgame Sunday.

Triple-A Sacramento pitchers Kyle Harrison and Carson Whisenhunt were selected to play in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game on Saturday, July 8, at 4:00 pm Pacific.

Up Next
The Giants and Blue Jays will face off again in a middle game on Wednesday, June 28, at 4:07 pm Pacific.

San Francisco Giants day off report: Giants Travel to Toronto for Upcoming Series Tuesday

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San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto hits a single during the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Thu May 25, 2023. Conforto leads the Giants in home runs (AP file photo)

Giants Travel to Toronto for Upcoming Series Tuesday

By Barbara Mason

Things for the most part have been going very well for the San Francisco Giants (44-34). Not to long ago the Giants were a number of games under five hundred and they have totally turned that around. They won a series against the San Diego Padres last week and most recently took a series from the division leading Arizona Diamondbacks.

After previous struggles the team is now pulling off come-from-behind wins, they often take early leads; they have an enviable defense not to mention their offense which is cranking on all cylinders. The Giants have moved ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers and look ahead to a series starting this Tuesday with the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Although the Blue Jays are favored, the way this club is playing right now this series could go either way. Toronto’s starting lineup will be a challenge for the Giants with George Springer, Matt Chapman, Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. These guys will keep the San Francisco defense very busy. San Francisco does have some offensive “giants” of their own with Thairo Estrade. J.D. Davis, Luis Matos, Michael Conforto and LaMonte Wade Jr. The team will be without Mike Yastrzemski who is on a 10-day IR with a left hamstring injury.

Starting pitcher for the Giants was undecided at the time of this posting. The Giants Michael Conforto leads the Giants with 12 home runs and a batting average of .285. J.D. Davis has the most RBI’s. Bo Bichette leads the Blue Jays with a .318 batting average and also has 14 homeruns to his credit this season. Toronto will send Kevin Gausman to the mound with a 3.10 ERA and a 7-3 win/loss record.

First pitch for this series on Tuesday is scheduled for 4:07 PM

Diamondbacks Avoid Sweep With 5-2 Victory Over The Giants

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey catches a ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte during the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jun 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Troy Ewers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA– With a crowd of 35,766 fans on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, the first place in the NL West Arizona Diamondbacks got a win to avoid a sweep in this three game series against the second place San Francisco Giants on Sunday 5-2.

The two men on the mound Ryan Nelson of Arizona and Anthony DeSclafani of San Francisco faced off and the Diamondbacks got on DeSclafani early. In the first inning Christian Walker extended his hitting streak to ten games with an RBI double that scored Ketel Marte making it 1-0 for Arizona.

The second inning was no different for DeSclafani as a Jake McCarthy single would score Alek Thomas, but the inning would end right after that with DeSclafani picking off McCarthy at first, but the damage was done, 2-0 D-Backs.

The next three innings the pitchers kept the bats quiet, but in the sixth inning the Giants woke up and finally got on the board with a J.D. Davis single that scored Thairo Estrada making the game 2-1. This had the Giants fans ready for the comeback victory, but in the eighth inning Ketel Marte hit a two run home run off Tristan Beck and that was the insurance Arizona needed to take it home.

JD Davis hit another single that scored Estrada to make it 4-2, but the damage was done, especially after a baserunning mistake by Blake Sabol that stopped the rally dead in its tracks. In the ninth Perdamo hit a single to score Longoria and insure a victory, but the Giants didn’t go out quietly.

A Matos single and long Slater at bat which included two deep foul balls and ended in a walk, would ignite the crowd into a roar to hopefully lead their Giants to victory, but Estrada grounded into a fielder’s choice and the game was over.

With the win for Arizona and they secure 2.5 games above the Giants in the NL West. Not all negatives to look at for the Giants coming out of the game, they finish the homestand with a 5-2 record.

The Giants have an off day Monday, but after that go into a three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays (pitchers not yet announced) on Tuesday, who beat the Oakland A’s today 12-1 and the Giants look to have a different fate than their counterparts across the bridge.

Oakland Manhandled By Toronto 12-1

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Oakland Athletics second baseman Jace Peterson (6) throws to first base to put out Toronto Blue Jays’ George Springer after forcing out Jays’ Tyler Heineman (55) during the second inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sun Jun 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

Oakland Manhandled By Toronto 12-1

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Oakland A’s (20-60) were looking to win game three in their series with the Toronto Blue Jays 43-36) no such luck as the A’s were whipped 12-1 by the Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto. The A’s won only one game on the six game road trip.

This game went sideways from the first inning. George Springer hit his 55th career leadoff home run and the Blue Jays were just warming up scoring two runs in the first. By the time the sixth inning roiled around, Toronto had built a 4-0 lead.

The A’s did get on the scoreboard for their lone score in the sixth. Tony Kemp hit a solo home run and that would be it for Oakland. They only had three hits in this lopsided game.

The Blue Jays were leading 7-1 going into the eighth inning. That inning proved to be their most lucrative of the game scoring five runs for the 12-1 final score. Toronto was hitting lights out and they were certainly helped along the way with all the walks that Medina was throwing their way.

Toronto pitcher Yusei Kikuchi stayed in the game for a season-high seven innings. Things did not go so well for Oakland with Luis Medina on the mound allowing four runs, three earned and 4 hits in five innings.

He walked seven batters which was a career -worst. His command was terrible today. In four May games he walked a total of seven so today was an absolute nightmare for him. He was relieved by Ken Waldichuk who did not fare much better allowing 6 hits and six runs in 2.1 innings.

There was not a whole of positives that we can draw from this game. It is one of those games you just want to put behind you.

The A’s will head home for yet another difficult series against the New York Yankees. Game one will be played at the Coliseum on Tuesday night. Paul Blackburn will take the mound for Oakland with a 0-0, 4.21 ERA. The Oakland offense will face Jhony Brito (4-3 ERA 4.89) who will get the nod for New York.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s drop ninth out of last ten games

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) is unable to make a tag on Oakland Athletics Jace Peterson (6) during the second inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Jun 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Saturday the A’s (20-59) were looking to take game two of their series against the Toronto Blue Jays (42-36). Shintaro Fujinami was the starter but he didn’t last even one inning allowing four hits and two runs in less than an inning of work. 

#2 Hogan Harris took over on the mound. As the Blue Jays turned up the offense and came away with a four run 7-3 win at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

#3Toronto took a 5-2 lead going into the sixth inning. From the start of this game, the A’s were behind the eight ball. Oakland got a run in the second inning off a solo home run from Seth Brown. The A’s got a second run in the third inning when Ryan Noda doubled Tony Kemp home for the two runs.

#4 The Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a far different mindset hitting a 437 feet long ball with Brandon Belt on base taking a 7-3 lead. 

#5  Luis Medina (1-6) will be on the mound for Oakland looking to improve his win/loss record as well as his ERA which stands at 7.01. The Blue Jays will be going with Yusei Kikuchi (6-2 ERA 3.97). First pitch is at 10:37 AM PT.

Join Barbara Mason Mondays for the Oakland A’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Drop Game Two Against Blue Jays 7-3 To Even Series

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Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Austin Pruitt throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter in the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Jun 24, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

A’s Drop Game Two Against Blue Jays 7-3 To Even Series

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the A’s (20-59) were looking to take game two of their series against the Toronto Blue Jays (42-36). Shintaro Fujinami was the starter but he didn’t last even one inning allowing four hits and two runs in less than an inning of work. Hogan Harris took over on the mound. As the Blue Jays turned up the offense and came away with a four run 7-3 win at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Toronto took a 5-2 lead going into the sixth inning. From the start of this game, the A’s were behind the eight ball. Oakland got a run in the second inning off a solo home run from Seth Brown. The A’s got a second run in the third inning when Ryan Noda doubled Tony Kemp home for the two runs.

In the sixth inning Oakland scored another run but still trailed 5-3. Tyler Wade singled Jace Pederson home and the A’s were back in the game provided they could keep Toronto off the scoreboard.

The Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a far different mindset hitting a 437 feet long ball with Brandon Belt on base taking a 7-3 lead. That would be the final. The A’s had runners on second and third when the game ended.

What came out of this game was the lack of experience from a lot of these younger players. Mistakes that can only be cleaned up with experience, years of experience. The work on the mound from starter Fujinami was just awful and it set the tone for this game. Fujinami pitched just two thirds of innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs and was lifted.

Post game notes: Friday night Shea Langeliers hit the game winning homer. The game was tied at four when Langeliers knocked the ball out of the park in the ninth inning giving the A’s a 5-4 lead which they were able to hold onto. That game broke an eight game losing streak for Oakland.

The A’s had played some very competitive games in their last series against the Guardians. The first two games were one run losses, one game going into extra innings. The series before this one against the Phillies also was a tough one for Oakland . They lost two games in that series by a single run with one game going 12 innings. Four painfully close games with the A’s coming up short.

Now that this series with Toronto is even, the A’s will try to take game three and win the series Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 10:37 AM. Luis Medina (1-6) will be on the mound for Oakland looking to improve his win/loss record as well as his ERA which stands at 7.01. The Blue Jays will be going with Yusei Kikuchi (6-2 ERA 3.97).

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s Harris gets the call in effort for second win in a row over Jays Saturday

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The Oakland A’s JJ Bleday (left) is congratulated by teammate Tony Kemp (right) after hitting a two run first inning home run at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Jun 23, 2023 (Canadian press via AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland A’s JJ Bleday slugged a first inning two home run to rightfield, Shea Langaliers base hit scoring Aledsmy Diaz to put the A’s up 3-0 jumping on the Toronto Blue Jays early.

#2 The Jays answered right back in the bottom of the third inning when Kevin Kiermaier doubled to score Danny Jansen, Vladimir Guerrero homered to left center scoring both Kiermaier and Bo Bichette. Jays took a 4-3 lead

#3 Langaliers homered in the top of the ninth inning for the go ahead and eventual winning run 5-4. The A’s showed signs of clutch hitting similar to when they were on the at seven game run.

#4 The A’s lacked the come back during their eight game skid but found a way to win on Friday night at Rogers Centre in Toronto and Langaliers was an important key to Friday’s win.

#5 Starters for Saturday afternoon’s pitching duel for the A’s Hogan Harris (2-1 ERA 4.45) and for the Blue Jays Jose Berrios (7-5 ERA 3.64) a 1:05pm PT first pitch.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com